Chopping onions burns my eyes so bad. My nose runs too and I have to have the back door open when I prepare?

Question

them. Any tips to prevent onions 'killing' my eyes?

When I wear my contact lenses, they don't hurt at all.

Answer 1

I know this sounds silly but i wear swimming googles when i peel onions they really do stop you crying

Answer 2

Invest in an Alligator!

It's a seriously cool and effective piece of kit that dices onions (as well as lots of other veggies) in seconds. I bought one last year when I was making loads of home-made curries in bulk and had about 5kg of onions to get through. Never looked back - no tears at all.

A little pricey at £20 but still very cool.

Check out the source(s) for a link. The newer ones (like mine) have a plastic clip on collecting box which collects the chopped onion and contain the vapours even better.

Answer 3

After you peel the onion, run it under very cold water for a minute or so. Then keep the cold water running while you chop the onion. Cold water removes the vapors that cause you eyes to burn and water. Open the kitchen window will also help.
Good luck!

Answer 4

There are numerous proven technics such as putting something moist in your mouth like a clean wet towel that way all the chemicals will travel to the towel before your eyes (chemicals in onion are attract to moistness). You could also chop your onions in water. Also always leave the root of the onion last before chopping that will release less chemicals.

Answer 5

I had that same problem..... It was when I decided to make chilli with hot peppers that I discovered the perfect, time-saving, solution. I bought a 3 cup chopper. You plug it in, peel the onion and cut it into quarters, then push the button. You have perfectly chopped, juicy onion/garlic/peppers in less than a minute.

Answer 6

I run tepid to cool water the stronger the onion, the colder the water.

somehow it takes the oder out of the air and my eyes won't tear. the smell is also alot better to deal with.

you can also open a window or a door for the odors that get away.

Answer 7

This such a common question, but a good one, it goes with the other one (how to get the smell of garlic off your hands).

ALWAYS use a sharp knife. That way it cuts through the onion without pushing through, causing the onion's juice's to explode all over.

Answer 8

- Put onion in freezer for 30mins before cutting
- suck on mint lollie
- wrap slighty damp clothe around mouth and nose
- breath through mouth
- stuff nose with tissues
- light candle or zippo near you
- wear goggles, ski mask or sunglasses
- put head in freezer every now and then
- cut the roots out of onion in a cone shape before you start chopping
- move away from onion to breathe

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf365726.tip.html

Answer 9

Freezing onions slightly before chopping lessens the distress.

Answer 10

Well,if you can breath through your mouth instead of your nose whilst dealing with onions,problem solved but if someone comes along and talks to you then you lose the breathing and eyes are burning...It works for me and has done since my mother taught me many years ago...